IV. PROCEEDINGS BEFORE THE COURT 5. The application initiating proceedings (doc.1) was registered at the Registry of this Court on September 2, 2021. 6. On the same date, the Defendant State, Sierra Leone, was duly served, but did not lodge any defense. 7. On December 2, 2021, the Applicant filed an application for a default judgment (doc. 2), which was served on the Defendant, but the latter said nothing. 8. On December 13, 2024, the Applicant submitted an application to present additional evidence (doc.3), which was served on the Defendant, did not contest it. 9. At the virtual hearing held on January 30, 2025, to hear the parties on the merits of the case, the Applicant was represented and presented its oral arguments, while the Defendant State was absent. The case was adjourned for judgment on 20th March, 2025, after the deliberation by the panel of Judges. V. THE APPLICANT'S CASE a. Summary of Facts 10. The Applicant, Mrs. Satta Lamin Banya, a peasant and politician, actively participated in the 2018 presidential elections in Sierra Leone, supporting the candidate of the All Peoples Congress party, Mr. Samura Kamara. 11. On April 5, 2018, after the announcement of the results of the presidential elections which declared Mr. Julius Maada Bio the winner, Satta Lamin Le